Golf driving range platform

Abstract

A golf practice apparatus that includes a platform that is pivoted about a universal Joint by a pair of hydraulic actuators. The universal joint couples the platform to a centrally located post which extends from a base structure. The universal joint is located in close proximity to the platform so that a centrally located player is not laterally displaced when the platform is rotated about the joint. The apparatus also has a spherically shaped cowling that cooperates with a cylindrically shaped shroud to completely enclose the underside of the platform. Movement of the actuator pistons is controlled by a pair of solenoid control valves which receive input signals from a foot switch. The foot switch has a plurality of buttons which can be depressed by the user to move the platform into a number of different positions.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A golf practice apparatus, comprising: a base structure;   a platform having an outer edge and being defined by first, second, third and fourth quadrants;   a post that extends from said base structure;   a universal joint that couples said platform to said post;   a first actuator that has a first piston coupled to said platform in said first quadrant;   a second actuator that has a second piston coupled to said platform in said second quadrant;   control means for moving said first and second pistons relative to said base structure, wherein said platform pivots about said universal joint;   a cylindrical shroud attached to said base structure; and,   a spherical cowling attached to said outer edge of said platform, said cowling cooperating with said shroud to enclose said universal joint and said actuators.   
     
     
       2. The golf practice apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said first piston is coupled to said platform with a first spherical joint and said second piston is coupled to said platform with a second spherical joint. 
     
     
       3. The golf practice apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said control means includes a pump, a first solenoid control valve operatively connected to said pump and said first actuator, and a second solenoid control valve operatively connected to said pump and said second actuator. 
     
     
       4. The golf practice apparatus as recited in claim 3, wherein said control means includes a plurality of buttons coupled to said pump and said solenoid control valves. 
     
     
       5. The golf practice apparatus as recited in claim 4, further comprising a foot switch having two first buttons that control said first solenoid control valve and two second buttons that control said second solenoid control valve. 
     
     
       6. A golf practice apparatus, comprising: a base structure having an outer edge;   a frame;   a platform attached to said frame and being defined by first, second, third and fourth quadrants, said frame having an outer edge;   a post that extends from said base structure;   a universal joint that couples said platform to said post, said universal joint being located within said frame;   a first actuator that extends from said base structure, said first actuator having a first piston;   a first spherical joint that couples said first piston to said platform in said first quadrant;   a second spherical that extends from said base structure, said second actuator having a second piston;   a second spherical joint that couples said second piston to said platform in said second quadrant;   a first solenoid control valve operatively connected to said first actuator;   a second solenoid control valve operatively connected to said second solenoid control valve;   a pump operatively connected to said first and second solenoid control valves;   a foot switch operatively connected to said first and second solenoid control valves; a cylindrical shroud attached to said base structure; and   a spherical cowling attached to said outer edge of said platform, said cowling cooperating with said shroud to enclose said valves and said actuators.   
     
     
       7. The golf practice apparatus as recited in claim 6, wherein said foot switch has two first buttons that control said first solenoid control valve and two second buttons that control said second solenoid control valve.